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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I don't know what to make of this. Is DP a dick or is my sister being ott.

117 replies

PigBiscuit · 11/06/2021 15:17

Today my sister said it really irritates her how my boyfriend openly flirts with my best friend on facebook. I can see the comments, they don't bother me. My DD chimed in and said when we went out for dinner this week she caught him looking at my bestfriends boobs. I have to admit, I don't really care about either. It just doesn't bother me, men look at other women and she is an attractive woman she also had a top on that had hearts on the nipples so it does grab your attention. I am a pretty laid back person and i feel that both my boyfriend and best friend are more aware than anyone else the hardships I have experienced over the years especially with my ex and I genuinely trust my boyfriend. I don't think he would cheat on me and I don't think either one would intentionally hurt me.......but maybe I am too trusting? Maybe they have just become a bit too familiar with one another? Maybe I am totally naïve and there is something going on? I was just happy that they got on and we all hang out together and its really easy and laid back, my bezzie hated my ex and it caused loads fo arguemtns. I feel like this has made me question everything. Less so about my boyfriend/bestfriend and more so about me. I am just judging everything and going over every convo I've had with my best friend recently.
My boyfriend is a pretty flirty person, he has always been this way. It was actually one of the things I like about him most, he is funny and silly and loves attention from anyone- that however doesn't = a cheat and he has never given me any reason to not trust him. He is just a super friendly person.
I am 6 months pregnant so feeling pretty self conscious about the way I look and these comments have knocked me for 6. My best friend is very pretty, confident and well put together so equally next to her I look homeless, I scrub up ok but I don't tend to make much effort with my day to day appearance- she always looks pristine. Every time I tried to explain stuff or give more context to my sister I just made things worse. I just sat there in a room whilst everyone else tore my relationship apart and right now I feel empty and alone. Dsis made me feel like I obviously don't have any self respect. Said if her DP did the same he's lop his man hood off with a knife......those kind of joyus comments. My boyfriend and I don't have a conventional relationship- we don't live together so have he stays here part of the week and at his the rest. People don't get it. We have been together many years. But it works for us and he plans to move in before the baby arrives. Others have always been very critical of this.
The 2 people I would usually turn to and talk things through with are out of bounds because they are the accused and I am sat here crying.

Yesterday I waddled out of tesco with the weekly shop thinking how lucky I am. How life is finally coming together. I felt particularly lucky to have my boyfriend and my best friend and now I just feel stupid. I think if my sister and DD see their comments on facebook and are making these judgements then what the hell does the rest of the world think?
I wonder if I am just unlovable. My ex damaged me so much. I don't really know what a healthy relationship looks like. I thought what me and my boyfriend had was good but maybe I am deluded.
Equally it feels like every time I am happy someone wants to come along and shit of my party. I feel like shutting myself off from everyone and just doing my own thing because other people just let me down and hurt me constantly and right now I have no resilience to any of it.

I don't think my sister should have made any comments in front of DD. And now DD wants to say something to my boyfriend, I told her that is fine but not to drag me into it. I just don't know how to deal with this. I don't know how to feel or what to do. It has really upset me. I don't even know which part has upset me. I am just sick of my life constantly being picked apart by others equally now I am questioning if I am just totally stupid.

OP posts:
Scrambledcustard · 11/06/2021 19:24

I'd be more bothered that your DD thought you were having baby to a pervert tbh.

She caught him eyeing up your mates breasts. It obviously didn't sit well for her. I dont understand why you would tell your 13 to discuss this with a grown man and because of that I think your boundaries and perception is way off.

FeatheredHope · 11/06/2021 20:27

I do find it strange that you still haven’t actually given an example of the allegedly flirty comments.

Doodlebug71 · 11/06/2021 21:17

@Scrambledcustard

I'd be more bothered that your DD thought you were having baby to a pervert tbh.

She caught him eyeing up your mates breasts. It obviously didn't sit well for her. I dont understand why you would tell your 13 to discuss this with a grown man and because of that I think your boundaries and perception is way off.

This. Why does your teen daughter have to do this? You are her mother. Your job is to protect her. YOU discuss with your DP. If you can't, don't expect your daughter to.
Doodlebug71 · 11/06/2021 21:25

@OrangeSharked

Your sister also chose a time when your 13 year old daughter was around. It doesn't really scream concerned for their sisters welfare tbh.

13 year olds can misread things. If she's been having a hard time this year its possible shes feeling insecure and reflecting this back on your relationship.

Its very hard to say really as we don't know the people. I agree you should speak to your DP, explain that your Dd feels uncomfortable and ask if he could reign it in a little around your best friend. How he reacts to that and acts from then on will give you your answer I reckon

Oh ffs. 13 year olds can misread things? That's straight out of the victim-blaming book. That age group is the upper limit for paedophiles, FWIW. If a child tells you something inappropriate is happening, listen to them. Don't tell them they've misread the situation/lied. Listen to them.
Hen2018 · 11/06/2021 21:34

He sounds like a twat.

Footloosefancyfree · 11/06/2021 21:38

It's quite clear two people who care for you can see blatantly what's going on and they're concerns sound justified.

PigBiscuit · 11/06/2021 21:49

I asked my sister for specific messages she thought was inappropriate but she didn't give any. So thats why I haven't mentioned any. Nothing I can find on there is inappropriate in my eyes.

We all sat down and had a chat. DP was pretty gutted and said he was really embarrassed, that he definitely looked at her top because it was very different, but he certainly wasn't ogling her boobs and he was glad that dd said something so we could sit down and talk it through because he would hate her to think he was looking at my friend like that. It was a very civilised conversation and everyone is fine. DD was very upfront about her feelings and we were both really proud that she felt comfortable enough to say everything she wanted to say.
She asked him if he fancied her and he basically said what I had put above, that he has enjoyed hanging out with her but it goes no further than that and he would never do anything to upset me or jeopardise our relationship. That looking at women like that etc is not ok and he would hate for someone to do it to DD so he certainly wouldn't do it to my best friend. We have had a really nice evening out in the garden watching the sun set, putting the world to rights.

OP posts:
Mugsen · 11/06/2021 21:56

I think you'd have to see the posts to be able to say. I think it becomes obvious if someone is over emphatically responding to something that's not that funny. Massaging ego territory.

pog100 · 11/06/2021 22:05

Excellent OP, you so sound really sensible, mature and normal, unlike many on this thread. I hope your pregnancy and birth go well.

KurtWilde · 11/06/2021 22:09

That's great news OP. I'm so glad you were able to speak about it candidly. All the very best for the rest of your pregnancy and birth!

Standrewsschool · 11/06/2021 22:17

Well done on having an honest and open conversation with all concerned.

GertietheGherkin · 11/06/2021 22:20

@PigBiscuit

I asked my sister for specific messages she thought was inappropriate but she didn't give any. So thats why I haven't mentioned any. Nothing I can find on there is inappropriate in my eyes.

We all sat down and had a chat. DP was pretty gutted and said he was really embarrassed, that he definitely looked at her top because it was very different, but he certainly wasn't ogling her boobs and he was glad that dd said something so we could sit down and talk it through because he would hate her to think he was looking at my friend like that. It was a very civilised conversation and everyone is fine. DD was very upfront about her feelings and we were both really proud that she felt comfortable enough to say everything she wanted to say.
She asked him if he fancied her and he basically said what I had put above, that he has enjoyed hanging out with her but it goes no further than that and he would never do anything to upset me or jeopardise our relationship. That looking at women like that etc is not ok and he would hate for someone to do it to DD so he certainly wouldn't do it to my best friend. We have had a really nice evening out in the garden watching the sun set, putting the world to rights.

That's fantastic! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy OP... Happy times ahead, all the best xx
Babygotblueyes · 11/06/2021 22:34

I think there are a lot of people who see any friendly communication between a man and woman as flirting, which is really sad. There could be something going on, but if there was they would probably try to hide it? Where I dont get it is the staring at her boobs/top. If he was looking at her top it would take a few seconds, and not enough for other people to notice. I have big boobs, but if any of my friends or friends partners did this I would be really annoyed. I dont go round staring at mens crotches.

Sometimesfraught82 · 12/06/2021 07:46

@PigBiscuit

I asked my sister for specific messages she thought was inappropriate but she didn't give any. So thats why I haven't mentioned any. Nothing I can find on there is inappropriate in my eyes.

We all sat down and had a chat. DP was pretty gutted and said he was really embarrassed, that he definitely looked at her top because it was very different, but he certainly wasn't ogling her boobs and he was glad that dd said something so we could sit down and talk it through because he would hate her to think he was looking at my friend like that. It was a very civilised conversation and everyone is fine. DD was very upfront about her feelings and we were both really proud that she felt comfortable enough to say everything she wanted to say.
She asked him if he fancied her and he basically said what I had put above, that he has enjoyed hanging out with her but it goes no further than that and he would never do anything to upset me or jeopardise our relationship. That looking at women like that etc is not ok and he would hate for someone to do it to DD so he certainly wouldn't do it to my best friend. We have had a really nice evening out in the garden watching the sun set, putting the world to rights.

We both know this didn’t happen
LostGirl7 · 12/06/2021 08:04

Oh shut op

UnderTheSkyInsideTheSea · 12/06/2021 08:33

He sounds lovely, @PigBiscuit. It seems likely to me that your sister has her own issues, and she’s projecting her own insecurities and jealousies on to you. Also, young teens are very socially conscious and can have quite black and white thinking on things as they work social stuff out - it’s possible she noticed him giving her top a passing glance (it does sound pretty eye catching!), and interpreted that as wrong or inappropriate.

Heisbeingweird · 12/06/2021 09:09

Hi OP, I'm very glad to see your update and considering how well you've handled yourself on this thread, I have no doubt you're extremely level headed in real life.

It sounds to me honestly like your DP and friend have hit it off and become friends or friendly. Your friend is probably delighted for you. Not all women would be and you must know if she is the type to get jealous & resentful or if she's always in your corner.

Your daughter noticing him 'ogling' doesn't mean it was so obvious even she noticed. I'd be more inclined to think your sister has been in DD's ear saying they are suspicious. Your sister was very wrong to have the discussion in front of your DD btw. She is going to make her anxious. Her little teenage mind will be gone into overdrive that he's going to be gone, there will be change and disruption coming, that her mum is going to be hurt. She needs stability at this stage in her life, especially with a baby on the way. Your sister needs to be kept at arm's length more than anyone frankly.

If they interact on FB that means they will naturally both appear on each others newsfeeds. It doesn't mean they are constantly checking out each others pages. Liking posts and replying is not flirting.

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